Committee Chairman

UFC Revamping Their HOF

May 06, 2015

We here at Notinhalloffame.com have been critical of the UFC Hall of Fame as it seemed to induct fighters arbitrarily and had no physical presence. We aren’t saying that they necessarily listened to us (we are pretty sure they haven’t), but they have announced a major step that shows that they are making some serious steps to make their Hall of Fame a much more respectable entity.

The first thing they announced is that they will induct a new class at the Fan Expo on July 11 prior to UFC 189. The key word that popped out to us was “Class”, as they traditionally announced one inductee and often without any notice.

This class will consist of at least one member in the following classes:

The Modern Era Wing:

To qualify for the Modern Era Wing, a fighter must have made their professional MMA debut after November 17, 2000. That fighter must be 35 or older or at least be retired for one year. It is noted that a UFC competitor can be active (providing they are older than 35) to get in, but that is not the preference. In case you are wondering where that date comes from it is symbolic in regards to when the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board adopted the current Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.

The Pioneer Era Wing:

This is for MMA fighters who made their debut prior to the November 17, 2000 date.

The Contributors Wing:

This is just as it sounds. This is for non-fighters who made a significant contribution to the sport.

The Fight Wing:

This unique wing will reflect the great fights of UFC. TO qualify, a fight must be at least five years old.

It was announced that there will be at least one inductee in each category from 2015 to 2017.

There is also talk that this will eventually lead to a physical Hall of Fame for UFC.

While there will be legitimate criticisms, these are major steps to make this Hall of Fame matter.

Ted Simmons headlines new Cardinals HOF Class

May 06, 2015

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

The St. Louis Cardinals rapidly have made their Hall of Fame one of the most prestigious in North American franchises. This Hall has just announced the four new inductees based on online fan voting.

Ted Simmons, Bob Forsch, Curt Flood and George Kissell are the second induction class following the first group of direct entries to the Hall that only opened less than two years ago.

Let’s take a quick look at the next four inductees to St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame:

Ted Simmons: Catcher, 1968-80

Ted Simmons, who is ranked #17 on our Notinhalloffame.com list for Baseball Hall of Fame consideration, had six All Star appearances as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Simmons showed off a slick bat and posted a Cardinals Slash Line of .298/.366/.459 with 172 Home Runs and a 45.3 bWAR.

Bob Forsch: Pitcher, 1974-88

At present, the third most winningest Pitcher in St. Louis Cardinals history, Bob Forsch posted a record of 163 and 127 over his lengthy tenure in St. Louis. Forsch would throw over 2,500 Innings with the Red Birds and also won two Silver Slugger Awards. Forsch had a bWAR of 21.5 in St. Louis.

Curt Flood: Outfield, 1958-69

The man whose refusal to be traded set the stage for modern free agency (and it can not be understated just how important that was), was a fine Baseball player in his own right. As a St. Louis Cardinal, Curt Flood led the National League in Hits in 1964, was a three time All Star and won the Gold Glove seven consecutive years. In St. Louis, Curt Flood recorded 1,853 Hits with a 30.0 bWAR.

George Kissell: 1940-2008

The man who was known for creating “The Cardinal Way” spent nearly seventy years with the team, initially as a minor league player and then as a scout. He would be later dubbed “The Professor” and was valued as an integral part of not just the team but the culture of the organization.

Specifically, Simmons and Forsch were chosen through the online fan vote. Curt Flood was chosen via a “Red Ribbon Panel”, a group of fifteen Cardinals experts. Kissell was elected via the club’s annual choice for the “individual who has been an important figure in Cardinals history”.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this latest class, and the St. Louis Cardinals organization that has done an outstanding job with this Hall of Fame.

Carlos Quentin Retires

May 04, 2015

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Very quietly, former two time All Star, Carlos Quentin announced that he was retiring from professional baseball. The 32 year old was playing in the minor leagues with the Seattle Mariners organization.

Quentin would break in with the Arizona Diamondbacks but it was a trade to the Chicago White Sox that would see him achieve his greatest success. In 2008, his first season with the Sox, the Outfielder would finish fifth in American League MVP voting with 36 Home Runs, 100 RBIs and a .965 OPS. He would receive his first All Star Game nod and his lone Silver Slugger that year.

He would never have a season as good as that again, but would claim his second All Star appearance in 2011. Quentin would play two more seasons with the San Diego Padres would suffer from knee problems, which have now forced him to retire.

Overall, Carlos Quentin would accumulate 702 Hits and 154 Home Runs over his nine year career, which as he did make ten, means he will not be placed on the Hall of Fame ballot in five years.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com wish Carlos Quentin a great post baseball career.

World Video Game HOF Finalists Announced

May 02, 2015

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

How did this one slip by us?

The World Video Game Hall of Fame has announced their inaugural fifteen Finalists for their first Hall of Fame Class.

The fifteen finalists are as follows:

Angry Birds
Doom
FIFA Soccer
Legend of Zelda
Minecraft
Oregon Trail
Pac-Man
Pokemon
Pong
Sonic the Hedgehog
Space Invaders
Super Mario Brothers
Tetris
The Sims
World of Warcraft

The initial nomination process was open to the public, however the first class will be decided by an international committee. This committee comprises journalists and video game experts.

The World Video Game Hall of Fame is housed in the same facility in Rochester, New York that has the Toy Hall of Fame.

The first class will be announced on June 4.